Frances Nies

Funeral Mass for Frances Nies, 92, of Ekalaka, MT, will be 10:30 a. m. , Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 at the Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka with Father Phillip Chinnappan and Father Thomas Tobin celebrating. Burial will follow at the Beaver Lodge Cemetery in Ekalaka. Visitation for Frances will be from 5:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. , Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka with a Rosary being recited at 6:00 p. m. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9 a. m. until the service. Frances passed away Friday, September 2, 2016 at Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka following a short illness. Frances Berdell Hythecker was born March 15, 1924 in Baker, MT, the youngest daughter of Anthony and Edna (Doughty) Hythecker. She grew up and attended school in Baker; graduating as Valedictorian with the class of 1942. After working in Baker for a couple of years, Fran, with the encouragement of her Mom, and two of her friends moved to Inglewood, California during World War II. She found a job as a riveter before going to work in the office of Southern Pacific in San Francisco. It was during this time that she reconnected with a young man from Ekalaka, James Nies. The couple was united in marriage on September 22, 1945 at St. Peter’s Church in San Francisco, CA. To this union seven children were born: James, Carol, Darlene, Janet, Debra, Lucille, and Frank. After the war ended, the couple returned to Montana to work with Jim’s parents on the family ranch east of Ekalaka. It was here that the couple made their home from 1945-1985. As her children grew up, Fran worked for a short time at the Welfare Office in Ekalaka before going to work at Dahl Memorial Hospital. After 15 years of service, Fran retired at the age of 63. She moved into Ekalaka after Jim’s death in 1990. In 2012, due to failing health, Fran moved into Dahl Memorial Nursing Home. Fran was a people person and enjoyed visiting with her friends, spending time at the Senior Citizen Center and in her younger years, dancing with Jim. She loved growing a garden and picking berries. Her children and grandchildren brought her great joy. Fran was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and served as secretary of the parish Altar Society for several years. Fran is survived by her two sons, James A. (Kathy) of Artesia, NM, and Frank (Karen) of Ekalaka; four daughters, Darlene (Louis) Tafoya of Thornton, CO, Janet (David) Dill of Sheridan, WY, Debra (Dick) Tallent of Las Cruces, NM, and Lucy (Lance) Chandler of Plentywood; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. Fran was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James; one daughter, Carol Lynn Earles; two grandsons, Ryan Allan Nies, and Shane Leon Mulkey; step-father, Mike Romey; one brother, Anthony Hythecker; five sisters, Myrtle Lewis, Lydian Biffle, Bonita Wood, Lucille Riley and Darlene Naples; and three infant siblings, Richard, Susie and Mary Lou.


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Burial Date: September 9, 2016
Church Stevenson Funeral Home

Funeral Mass: Friday, Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT